Winter is slowly fading and the Lavazza Italian Film Festival (September 17 – October 12) is bringing a dash of Mediterranean romance to Melbourne.
With a diverse program ranging from stylish thrillers to docudramas, we took a closer look at the lineup to pick our top five flicks.
Based in part on the youth of drag artist Davide Cordova, Darker Than Midnight follows a young boy’s rough adolescence in Sicily. A coming-of-age story from one of Italy’s hottest new talents Sebastian Rosi, this drama screened in Critics’ Week at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Set in a small fishing village in Reggio Calabria, South is Nothing follows the powerful story of a teenage tomboy who is searching for answers about her missing brother. It stars Miriam Karlkvist, recipient of this year’s Berlinale Shooting Star award.
3. The Mafia Only Kills in Summer
An impressive directorial debut from popular TV satirist Pierfrancesco Diliberto, this film follows everyman Arturo’s journey from childhood to maturity as he deals with life, love, and the mafia. The current Senate President of Italy, Pietro Grasso, referred to this film as the best film work on the Mafia ever made.
The much-anticipated new film from multi award-winning director Daniele Luchetti, Those Happy Years is a bittersweet autobiographical account of his own childhood as an aspiring filmmaker living through his parents’ turbulent relationship. A touching mix of warmth and drama.
Starring the charismatic Alessandro Roja, Song of Napoli boasts an endearing cast and a number of catchy award-winning tunes that you’ll find it hard not to hum along to. Set in modern-day Naples, this comedy follows the misfortune of a nerdy piano player who finds himself working with the police to catch a dangerous killer.
http://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/